Black caucus PAC shuns endorsement of Donna Edwards

The political action committee behind the Congressional Black Caucus passed on endorsing Rep. Donna Edwards in her Maryland Senate primary — a public snub of the African-American lawmaker who has a contentious relationship with many of her colleagues.

The CBC PAC voted late Thursday evening during a hastily called meeting to table the question of endorsing Edwards in her primary challenge against Rep. Chris Van Hollen, according to a half-dozen sources familiar with the meeting.

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The endorsement is unlikely to be voted on again, multiple members of the PAC’s board said.

Passing on an endorsement for a fellow black caucus lawmaker in a competitive primary is unusual for the CBC PAC. Sources said the PAC felt uncomfortable giving Edwards a nod of support after hearing from local elected African-American officials in Maryland who support Van Hollen.

Sources said former Rep. Al Wynn — whom Edwards unseated in 2008 — noted her lack of endorsements among black officials in the state, making the case that the CBC PAC should not trump the opinion of local elected representatives.

“The room accepted this as reasonable,” said one Democratic lawmaker in attendance. “It is premature to weigh in when black leadership is heavily leaning toward Van Hollen.”

The sources said Edwards’ troubled relationship with many of her black caucus members was also a factor.

A spokesman for the Edwards campaign downplayed the lack of an endorsement.

“This result does not come as a surprise given that former congressman-turned lobbyist Al Wynn, whom Donna defeated in a Democratic primary in 2008, is an active member of the PAC board,” said campaign spokesman Benjamin Gerdes.

The lawmaker added that it “was interesting, to say the least” to observe the lack of support Edwards had among the board of the CBC PAC. The Congressional Black Caucus is a separate but connected entity with the PAC. Only a handful of lawmakers serve on the PAC’s board. Other members include lobbyists and former Hill staffers.

Edwards does have the support of some CBC members in her Senate bid, including Reps. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Lacy Clay of Missouri, Robin Kelly of Illinois and Hank Johnson of Georgia.

New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, chairman of the CBC PAC, said the meeting is part of a long process when it comes to Edwards and a potential endorsement.

“The board is working. It is a process that we go through for all individuals that seek it,” Meeks said.

The primary between Van Hollen and Edwards has turned into a competitive race. A January poll from Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies found Van Hollen ahead with 38 percent of respondents. Edwards’ support was 2 percentage points lower.

But the contest could hinge on black voters turning out, and Edwards has a 50-point lead among African-Americans. A CBC PAC endorsement comes with significant political benefits for candidates. Members of the PAC will often travel to districts on election or primary days to support the candidate and work with churches to spur turnout.